The Pongo Fund Pet Food Bank

Getting Earl and Pearl to stay still long enough for a photo was my challenge. Because they wanted to give kisses and get pets. But it’s nothing compared to their challenges. The challenges they face every day. Because for Earl and Pearl and their Dad Kirby, clean sheets, soft pillows and hot showers are far-away dreams when you’re living on the street. Far more important things take precedence. A dry place to sleep. Shoes and socks. Prayers. Dog food.

Some people have been down on their luck for so long that just a little bit of luck seems like a jackpot. Because the challenges that you and I face just fade away for someone living on the streets. They don’t complain about their $6.00 coffee drink being made wrong. Or the traffic on the way to work. Or the slow internet connection. They don’t sweat it. They just hope to survive.

But the things you and I take for granted are their daily struggles. Yet they still find a way to navigate those struggles with grace. While we may pop dinner in the oven and sit in a comfy chair in front of the TV, their dinner line may be two hours long.

And then finding that the person just in front of them may have received the last serving of their favorite mashed potatoes. The very person that was having an even worse day so they carefully let them cut in front of them in line. But they look ahead.

Because maybe tomorrow they will get the coveted mashed potatoes.

We crossed paths with Earl and Pearl and Kirby during a Pop-Up Pongo. One of those days when we head out into the community and spend some time reconnecting with the most fragile people living outdoors. We go armed with high-quality food for both people and pets. Sleeping bags. Towels. Socks. Collars. Leashes. Coats for two and four-legged alike. And always, always, always lots of smiles.

The people we meet are deeply appreciative. They say we're a blessing. Taking only what they desperately need and leaving the rest for the next person. Because they know the next person may have it even worse. But what really sets the tone is the joy when we hand someone a bag of dog or cat food.

But Kirby was different. When I asked if he needed dog food he politely said he likely would not want our food. Because he was very specific about the food he fed Earl and Pearl. I asked what kind of food he was feeding and he took a step closer to me and said in a soft tone as if he were sharing a special secret, “I only use the Pongo dog food. Because that’s the best.”

And I about fell over.

Because he had no idea I was part of The Pongo Fund. And that I may have even delivered the last bag of kibble he picked up at one of the many food pantries that we provide kibble to. He didn’t know that because he’d never been to our pet food bank in person. And my Pongo tshirt was covered by another shirt.

Rather, he thought I was someone offering him food he did not want. And he was most graciously saying thank you, but no thank you. Because his dogs were his life. And he would not risk feeding them low quality food.

I then opened my outer shirt, happily displaying the Pongo logo on my tshirt underneath. Kirby stepped back for just a second and said “YOU work with Pongo?” And I said yes. And then I said not only do I work with them, but Pongo was my dog.

In a split second this gracious man who loved his dogs more than anything had to clear his throat. The words still did not come. He then cleared it a second time and said “Thank you. You’ve saved us many times.”

And then he turned to the incredibly happy and well-cared for Earl and Pearl and said “That’s where your food comes from. Pongo was his dog!”

I then needed to clear my throat a couple of times too. All because of the blessing of a bag of dog food.

Remembering to count our blessings may be the best blessing of all. And today was a reminder of those blessings. Because today is when we met Earl, Pearl and Kirby.

And this is why we Pongo.

Sit. Stay. Eat. Live. thepongofund.org